Page 67 of Revenge Puck

“Yes, of course you can trust me,” I assure her. “I’m a hair stylist. Everyone tells me their secrets.”

“I bet so,” she replies, giving me a small smile. Then she takes a deep breath and says softly, “The last time I spoke to Christian was when I told him I was pregnant.”

“Pregnant?” the word comes out of my mouth way too loud, so I slap my palm over it. When I am certain I can keep my volume down, I ask, “You were pregnant…with his…his…” I lean forward to glance around her again, getting a better look at the boy who I’m guessing is four or five. His hair is a chestnut brown, lighter than his mom’s and Preston’s. And while he reminds me of his uncle, he has a little dimple in his chin that’s just like Christian’s.

“Please don’t tell anyone.” She clutches my arm and whispers even lower. “Finley doesn’t know, either.”

“No. No, of course not,” I promise her. “I just…Christian never mentioned him.”

“That’s because when I told Christian I was pregnant, and wasn’t sure what to do, he said he was sorry, then sent me money through Venmo to ‘take care of it,’ and that was that. Once I made my decision, I wanted to let him know but his number wouldn’t even take my messages, so I think he had, um, blocked me.”

I remember Christian mentioned that he usually breaks things off with women by blocking them, that he only told me in person because he wants me to keep cutting his hair.

“Wow, Maya. I am so, so sorry. I can’t believe he would do that…”

“Preston assured me we were better off without him in our lives. I know he was right, even though it’s…never mind. We just met and already I’m getting word vomit all over you.”

“No, it’s fine. Thank you for telling me. And no wonder Preston hates him so much!”

“Preston has always blamed himself,” Maya leans over to tell me softly. “He and Christian were friends, best friends actually, hockey teammates and roommates in the minors. He introduced me to Christian when I came to Raleigh for myfreshman year of college at NC State. Pres even gave his blessing for the two of us to date…”

“Then you got pregnant, and Christian ghosted you.”

“Yep. Christian got signed with the Bobcats and left town without looking back. Preston never forgave him. I’ve tried to convince him to let it go, but every time the two have met in a game during the pros, Preston goes berserk on him. Well, until the other night. Not that I think Pres is using you just to piss Christian off or anything.”

“Right,” I say, even though I’m starting to realize that’s theonlyreason Preston agreed to the photo, the kiss, the sign, and giving me one of his jerseys.

Now it all makes sense, why he was more than happy to help me get back at Christian. I knew he had his reasons for wanting revenge, even if Preston refused to tell me what they were.

I get it now.

He wouldn’t tell me because he was protecting his younger sister.

His nephew, Christian’s son!

The arena erupts into cheers and applause when the lights go down as the Warhawks come skating out onto the ice. Seeing Preston again, even from this far away, my stomach turns flips. I’m getting way too invested in this whole mess with him. And if I’m not careful, it’ll become more than just fun or fake.

Maybe it already has.

“There’s Uncle Pres!” Maya says, removing her son’s headphones and pointing him out. They both stand up and whoop, the boy cheering with his popcorn container tucked under his arm.

Preston’s been like a father to Christian’s son because the boy has never had a father of his own. It’s so sweet of him and so…responsible. He’s obviously protective of them both.

At the same time, it feels like this enormous secret that he’s been hiding from a father if Christian doesn’t realize Maya’s son is his. How could he not? Either way, now here I am, causing drama between the two men all over again years later.

“I, um, I think I need to go get some fresh air,” I tell Maya as I get to my feet, leaving my sign against the wall.

She looks over at me with a frown. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine,” I lie. “I’ll be right back.”

And I was planning to go back.

I really was.

But once I make it outside in the cool night air, I just can’t stop my feet from walking further and further away from the arena.

22

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